Chapter 299

Nick Carter's identity was well-known within the industry, so his attempt to recruit Lucy White seemed almost expected.

What truly piqued everyone's curiosity was Lucy herself.

This woman could crack top-tier biometric locks, wield firearms with uncanny precision, and now she was even altering game code.

And let's not forget those rumored talisman-drawing skills.

Just how many hidden talents did she possess? Team China had truly struck gold.

Live comments exploded:

[Lucy's unlocked another skill!]

[Game company tech consultant—that title's badass!]

Executives from major domestic gaming firms watched the livestream, already scheming recruitment strategies.

David Wilson shook his head while viewing the broadcast. His phone had been ringing off the hook with offers to poach Lucy.

Having an exceptional employee was proving troublesome for the boss.

Even Ethan Smith tuned in during mission breaks. Watching Lucy shine, his lips curled into an involuntary smile. Though he'd known about her abilities, witnessing her brilliance never failed to stir his heart. At least the livestream eased the ache of separation.

Meanwhile, a chopper touched down at the base landing pad where Lieutenant Leo had been waiting with his team. Thanks to Lucy's prior arrangements, a private vehicle whisked them away upon arrival.

The other dozens of arrivals weren't so fortunate—herded onto base buses for temporary residency processing.

With Safe Haven overcrowded, newcomers were relegated to the lowest security tier—cramped eight-person quarters with Spartan conditions. The expressions of these pampered elites turned ashen. Accustomed to mansions and luxury cars, the thought of sharing space with strangers made their skin crawl.

The salt in the wound? Team China got a private villa.

[Thank god for Lucy]

[Their faces are priceless]

[The disparity's brutal]

Comments overflowed with amusement while international viewers roasted their own teams' performances—especially top-ranked squads facing the harshest criticism. Without marked improvement, they'd return home to public flaying.

After two leisurely days at the villa—cooking, crafting talismans, and gaming—representatives from other teams came knocking. This time, nobody haggled for intel; they straightforwardly sought to purchase the second clue.

The previous victims' misfortunes had taught them wisdom—better to spend two points than waste effort fruitlessly.

Team China, tired of games, obliged every request at the fixed rate. Upon payment confirmation, Lucy simply played a pre-recorded video revealing the complete clue.

The revelation stunned everyone—she'd prepared this in advance? Such foresight was staggering. While other teams toiled, Team China earned points from their couch. A masterstroke indeed.

Over the following fortnight, teams struggled with the first clue's challenges as mutated birds grew increasingly aggressive, eventually transforming into avian zombie swarms. Lucy's talismans proved invaluable—where sniper rifles fell short against hordes, she'd unleash precision sigils to immobilize targets.

While others labored, Team China conducted effortless rescue missions via chopper, simultaneously completing base tasks and contributing to infrastructure—earning triple point categories daily.

Less fortunate teams returned battered and bruised each evening, injuries becoming routine. After three weeks, only Team China remained unscathed; others suffered casualties or total wipeouts.

As time lapsed, desperation mounted. Both bases had been scoured without tracing the virus's origin. Dr. Roland's lab remained under intense surveillance yet yielded no leads. The cruel irony? His team was diligently developing the cure.